Chapter 11 EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL*
*Cross references: Building regulations, Ch. 6; subdivisions, Ch. 22; vegetation, Ch. 24; general
zoning ordinance, Ch. 28.
State law references: Erosion and Sediment Control Law, Code of Virginia, §§ 10.1-560--10.1-571; local
control programs, § 10.1-562.
Art. I. In General, §§ 11-1--11-30
Art. II. Control Plan for Land-Disturbing Activities, § 11-31
ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL
Sec. 11-1. Chapter title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance of
Stafford County, Virginia.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-1, 5-18-82)
Sec. 11-2. Definitions.
Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following words, terms and phrases, when used in
this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
Applicant means any person submitting an erosion and sediment control plan for approval or requesting
issuance of a permit, when required, authorizing land-disturbing activities to commence.
Board means the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board.
Clearing means any activity which removes the vegetative ground cover including, but not limited to, root
mat removal, or topsoil stripping.
Conservation plan, erosion and sediment control plan or plan means a document containing material
and information or drawings for the conservation of soil and water resources of a unit or group of units of land. It
shall include appropriate maps, an appropriate soil and water plan, with timing of proposed sediment-control
measures, inventory and management information, with needed interpretations, and a record of decisions
contributing to conservation treatment. The plan shall conform to the standards and specifications, stormwater
management methods, calculations and criteria set forth in the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control
Handbook, the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations, and this chapter.
Conservation standards or standards means standards adopted by the county pursuant to this chapter.
Construction phasing or "staging of construction," as the term is used in this chapter, means a
construction process to control erosion and sedimentation where only a specified portion of an entire
construction site is disturbed at any one time for the construction of the required infrastructure within that
portion, and no subsequent portion of the construction site is allowed to be disturbed until the previous portion
of land has been stabilized. Construction phasing is not to be confused with the terms "phasing of development"
or "construction sequencing."
County means the County of Stafford County, Virginia as referenced herein.
Development means a tract of land developed or to be developed as a single unit under single
ownership or unified control, which is to be used for any business or industrial purpose or is to contain three or
more residential dwelling units.
Erosion and sediment control plan or plan means a document containing material for the conservation of
soil and water resources of a unit or group of units of land. It may include appropriate maps, an appropriate soil
and water plan inventory, and management information with needed interpretations and a record of decisions
contributing to conservation treatment. The plan shall contain all major conservation decisions to assure that the
entire unit or units of land will be so treated to achieve the conservation objectives.
Erosion impact area means an area of land not associated with current land-disturbing activity
but subject to persistent soil erosion resulting in the delivery of sediment onto neighboring properties or
into state waters. This definition shall not apply to any lot or parcel of land of ten thousand (10,000) square feet
or less used for residential purposes or to shorelines where the erosion results from wave action or other
coastal processes.
Flocculents (also known as polymers or polyacrylamide (PAM)) means natural materials or a class of
chemicals that cause colloidal (clay) particles to coagulate and settle out in detained stormwater runoff.
Grading means any excavating or filling of earth material or any combination thereof, including the land
in its excavated or filled conditions.
Grading permit means the written approval by the county to commence and complete grading and the
associated sediment control and stormwater management devices in accordance with the approved plan and
this chapter. This permit shall be valid for one year and may be renewed upon payment of the required fees.
Land-disturbing activity means any land change which may result in soil erosion from water or wind and
the movement of sediments into state waters or onto lands in the commonwealth, including, but not limited to,
clearing, grading, excavating, transporting and filling of land, except that the term shall not include:
(1) Minor land-disturbing activities such as home gardens and individual home landscaping, repairs and
maintenance work;
(2) Individual service connections;
(3) Installation, maintenance or repair of any underground public utility lines, when such activity occurs
on an existing hard-surfaced road, street or sidewalk, provided the land-disturbing activity is confined to the
area of the road, street or sidewalk which is hard-surfaced; electric, natural gas and telephone utility companies,
interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline companies and railroad companies shall file general erosion and
sediment control specifications annually with the board for review and written comments. The specifications
shall apply to:
a. Construction, installation or maintenance of electric transmission, natural gas and telephone utility
lines, and pipelines; and
b. Construction of the tracks, rights-of-way, bridges, communication facilities and other related structures
and facilities of the railroad company.
The board shall have sixty (60) days in which to approve the specifications. If no action is taken by the
board within sixty (60) days, the specifications shall be deemed approved. Individual approval of
separate projects within subdivisions a. and b. of this subsection is not necessary when approved
specifications are followed. Projects not included in subdivisions a. and b. of this subsection shall comply
with the requirements of the appropriate local erosion and sediment control program. The board shall
have the authority to enforce approved specifications;
(4) Septic tank lines or drainage fields, unless included in an overall plan for land-disturbing activity
relating to construction of the building to be served by the septic tank system;
(5) Surface or deep mining;
(6) Exploration or drilling for oil and gas, including the well site, roads, feeder lines and off-site disposal
areas;
(7) Tilling, planting or harvesting or agricultural, horticultural or forest crops or livestock feedlot
operations, including engineering operations as follows: construction of terraces, terrace outlets, check dams,
desilting basins, dikes, ponds, ditches, strip cropping, lister furrowing, contour cultivating, contour furrowing,
land drainage and land irrigation;
however, this exception shall not apply to harvesting of forest crops unless the area on which harvesting
occurs is reforested artificially or naturally in accordance with the provisions of chapter 11 (section 10.1-1100) et
seq., Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, or is converted to bona fide agricultural or improved pasture use as
described in subsection B of § 10.1-1163, Code of Virginia (1950), as amended;
(8) Repairing or rebuilding of the tracks, right-of-way, bridges, communication facilities and other related
structures and facilities of a railroad company;
(9) Agricultural engineering operations including, but not limited to, the construction of terraces, terrace
outlets, check dams, desilting basins, dikes, ponds not required to comply with the Dam Safety Act, article 2
(section 10.1-604 et seq.) of chapter 6 of title
10.1 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, ditches, strip cropping, lister furrowing, contour
cultivating, contour furrowing, land drainage and land irrigation;
(10) Disturbed land areas of less than two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet in size, providing
land-disturbing activity is not for the development of a residential lot(s) in a subdivision or no special site
conditions or site development plans warrant conservation treatment and no erosion is evident during
development;
(11) Installation of fence and sign posts or telephone and electric poles and other kinds of posts or
poles;
(12) Shore erosion control projects on tidal waters when the projects are approved by local wetlands
boards, the marine resources commission or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; however, any associated land
that is disturbed outside of this exempted area shall remain subject to this chapter;
(13) Emergency work to protect life, limb or property and emergency repairs; provided that the landdisturbing activity would have required an approved erosion and sediment control plan, if the activity were not
an emergency, then the land area disturbed shall be shaped and stabilized in accordance with the requirements
of the plan-approving authority.
Local erosion and sediment control program or local control program means an outline of the various
methods employed by Stafford County to regulate land-disturbing activities and thereby minimize erosion and
sedimentation in compliance with the state program and may include such items as local ordinances, policies
and guidelines, technical materials, inspection, enforcement and evaluation.
Owner means the owner or owners of the freehold of the premises or lesser estate therein, a mortgagee
or vendee in possession, assignee of rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee or other person, firm or
corporation in control of a property.
Permit-issuing agency means the county department of code administration.
Permittee means the person to whom the permit authorizing land-disturbing activities is issued or the
person who certifies that the approved erosion and sediment control plan will be followed.
Person means any individual, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, public or private corporation,
trust, estate, commission, board, public or private institution, utility, cooperative, county, city, town or other
political subdivision of the commonwealth, any interstate body or any other legal entity.
Plan-approving authority means the county department of planning and zoning, which, as the designated
agent for the board of supervisors, shall be responsible for determining the adequacy of the conservation plan
submitted for land disturbing activities in accordance with this chapter.
Plan-review agency means the department of planning and zoning, which is responsible for evaluating
the adequacy of a conservation plan submitted for land disturbing activities on a unit or units of land and which
shall recommend approval or disapproval to the plan-approving authority.
Program administrator means the county administrator or his designee.
Renewal fee means the annual fee charged for a grading permit after the initial grading permit is
obtained.
Responsible land disturber means an individual from the project or development team who will be in
charge of and responsible for carrying out a land-disturbing activity covered by an approved plan or agreement
in lieu of a plan, who (i) holds a responsible land disturber certificate of competence, (ii) holds a current
certificate of competence from the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board in the areas of combined
administration, program administration, inspection, or plan review, (iii) holds a current contractor certificate of
competence for erosion and sediment control, or (iv) is licensed in Virginia as a professional engineer, architect,
certified landscape architect or land surveyor pursuant to article 1 (sec. 54.1-400 et seq.) of chapter 4 of title
54.1 [Code of Virginia 1950].
Stabilization means the physical act of installing, applying or planting vegetative or structural soil cover
to an area of land to a stabilized condition.
Stabilized means the condition of an area of land that can be expected to withstand normal exposure to
atmospheric conditions without incurring erosion and or sediment damage to it or to any abutting or adjacent
land or water feature.
State waters means all waters on the surface and under the ground wholly or partially within or bordering
the commonwealth or within its jurisdiction.
Subdivision means any division of a tract of land as set forth in section 22-4 of the Stafford County
Code, provided, however, that if a new street is involved in a division into lots of ten (10) acres or more, all of
the requirements of this chapter shall apply.
Transporting means any moving of earth materials from one place to another place, other than such
movement incidental to grading, when such movement results in the destruction of the vegetative ground cover
either by tracking or the buildup of earth materials to the extent that erosion and sedimentation will occur.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-4, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 089-117, 12-5-89; Ord. No. 091-48(R), 9-17-91; Ord. No. 09518(R), 3-7-95; Ord. No. 095-18(R-1), 6-6-95; Ord. No. 097-60, 11-18-97; Ord. No. 003-13, 3-18-03; Ord. No.
O04-32, 6-15-04; Ord. No. O05-63, 12-13-05; Ord. No. O07-67, 9-4-07; Ord. No. O08-52, 7-108)
State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 10.1-604 et seq.
Sec. 11-3. Purpose of chapter; administration and enforcement generally.
(a) The purpose of this chapter is to conserve the lands and waters comprising the watersheds of the
county which are great natural resources. As a result of erosion of lands and sediment deposition in waters
within the watersheds of the county, such waters are being polluted and despoiled to such a degree that they
are being adversely affected, and the rapid shift in land use from agricultural to nonagricultural uses has
accelerated the process of soil erosion and sedimentation, as a result of which it is necessary for the county to
establish and implement procedures with the technical assistance of the Virginia Department of Conservation
and Recreation.
(b) This chapter shall be administered and enforced as provided for by section 10.1-560 et seq., (1950),
as amended, the criteria of the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook and the Virginia Erosion and
Sediment Control Regulations. This chapter provides for, both during and following land-disturbing activity, the
control of soil erosion and sedimentation and stormwater management and establishes procedures for the
administration and enforcement of such controls.
(c) No grading permits shall be issued pursuant to this chapter prior to either site plan or subdivision
approval as required under chapters 22 and 28 of this Code (Effective date, March 1, 1990).
(d) The department of code administration shall be responsible for enforcement of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 082-9, §§ 31-2, 31-4, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 089-117, 12-5-89; Ord. No. 091-48(R), 9-17-91; Ord. No.
097-60, 11-18-97)
Sec. 11-4. Authorization for chapter.
This chapter implements the provisions of section 10.1-560 et seq., of the Code of Virginia, the criteria
of the Virginia Erosion and Sedimentation Control Handbook and the Virginia Erosion and Sedimentation
Control Regulations.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-3, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 089-117, 12-5-89; Ord. No. 091-48(R), 9-17-91)
Sec. 11-5. Reserved.
Editor's note: Ord. No. 091-48(R), adopted Sept. 17, 1991, deleted former § 11-5 in its entirety, which
pertained to the chapter not being applicable to land-disturbing activities commenced prior to Sept. 19,
1974, and derived from Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-4, adopted May 18, 1982.
Sec. 11-6. Violations of chapter--Generally.
(a) If a violation of this chapter or a plan approved pursuant to this chapter is observed, a notice to
comply shall be served upon the person who submitted the plan or his representative. Such notice shall set
forth specifically the measures needed to come into compliance with this chapter and the plan and shall specify
the time within which such measures shall be completed.
(b) A violation consists of failure to comply with an approved plan or undertaking a land-disturbing
activity without an approved plan or permit required by this chapter, or failing to observe any notice delivered to
comply with the approved plan or this chapter. When a violation is noted, the following may be considered to
secure compliance, in addition to any other remedy provided by law or this chapter:
(1) On-site delivery of a written notice to comply.
(2) Written notice to comply sent to the person who submitted the plan by registered return receipt
requested, mail.
(3) Utilization of the performance guarantee provided for in section 11-15.
(4) Revocation of all grading, building or other permits relative to the site.
(5) Cease building inspections.
(6) Issue a stop work order for all construction authorized by the approved building permit(s).
(c) Upon receipt of a sworn complaint of a substantial violation from the designated enforcement officer,
the county administrator, or his designee, may, in conjunction with or subsequent to a notice to comply as
specified in this section, issue an order requiring that all or part of the land-disturbing activities permitted on the
site be stopped until the specified corrective measures have been taken. Where the alleged noncompliance is
causing or is in imminent danger of causing harmful erosion of lands or sediment deposition in waters within
the
watersheds of the commonwealth, such an order may be issued without regard to whether the permittee
has been issued a notice to comply. Otherwise, such an order may be issued only after the permittee
has failed to comply with such a notice to comply. The order shall be served in the same manner as a
notice to comply, and shall remain in effect for a period of seven (7) days from the date of service
pending application by the enforcing authority or permit holder for appropriate relief to the circuit court of
the jurisdiction wherein the violation was alleged to have occurred. Upon completion of corrective
action, the order shall immediately be lifted.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-11, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 087-07, 1-6-87; Ord. No. 093-27, 6-15-93; Ord. No. 09518(R-1),
6-6-95)
Sec. 11-7. Same--Penalty.
(a) Enforcement. The county attorney's office will assist with the enforcement of this chapter.
(b) Civil penalties.
(1) A civil penalty in the amount listed on the schedule below shall be assessed for each violation of the
respective offenses:
a. Commencement of land-disturbing activity without an approved plan as provided in subsection 1114(a) shall be one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per day.
b. Failure to comply with any of the minimum standards of the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control
Regulations shall be one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per violation per day.
c. Failure to comply with any of the standards of section 11-12 shall be one thousand dollars
($1,000.00) per violation per day.
d. Failure to obey a stop-work order shall be one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per day.
e. Failure to stop work when permit is revoked shall be one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per day.
(2) Each day during which the violation is found to have existed shall constitute a separate offense.
However, in no event shall a series of specified violations arising from the same operative set of facts result in
civil penalties which exceed a total of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).
(c) Civil violations, summons, generally.
(1) The program administrator shall prepare an appropriate "erosion and sediment control civil
violations summons" for use in enforcing the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Any inspector of the plan-approving authority charged with enforcing this chapter shall serve upon
any owner or permittee in violation of this chapter asummons notifying the owner or permittee of said violation.
If unable to serve the owner or permittee in person, the inspector may notify by summons an owner or
permittee committing or suffering the existence of a violation by certified, return receipt requested mail, of the
infraction. The Stafford County Sheriff's Office may also deliver the summons. The summons shall contain the
following:
a. The name and address of the person charged.
b. The nature of the violation and ordinance provision(s) being violated.
c. The location, date, and time that the violation occurred, or was observed.
d. The amount of the civil penalty assessed for the violation.
e. The manner, location, and time that the civil penalty may be paid to the County.
f. The right of the recipient of the summons to elect to stand trial for the infraction and the date of such
trial.
(3) The summons shall provide that any person summoned for a violation may within five (5) business
days of actual receipt of the summons or, within ten (10) calendar days from the date of mailing of the
summons, elect to pay the civil penalty by making an appearance in person, or in writing by mail to the Stafford
County Treasurer's Office and, by such appearance, may enter a waiver of trial, admit liability, and pay the civil
penalty established for the violation charged and provide that a signature to an admission of liability shall have
the same force and effect as a judgment in court; however, an admission shall not be deemed a criminal
conviction for any purpose.
(4) If a person charged with a violation does not elect to enter a waiver of trial and admit liability, the
county shall cause the Sheriff of Stafford County to serve the summons on the person charged in the manner
prescribed by law. The violation shall be tried in the Stafford County General District Court in the same manner
and with the same right of appeal as provided for in title 8.01, Code of Virginia. In any trial for a scheduled
violation authorized by this section, it shall be the burden of the county to show the liability of the violator by the
preponderance of the evidence. Any admission of liability, or finding of liability shall not be a criminal conviction
for any purpose.
(5) The remedies provided for in this section are cumulative, and are not exclusive and, except as
provided above, shall be in addition to any other remedies by law.
(6) The owner or permittee may pay the civil penalty to the treasurer prior to the trial date, provided he
also pays necessary court costs in addition to the civil penalty.
(7) Within the time period prescribed in (3), above, the owner or permittee may contest the violation by
presenting it to the program administrator, who shall certify the contest in writing, on an appropriate form, to the
general district court.
(8) Failure to pay the civil penalty, or to contest the violation, within the time period prescribed in 3.,
above, shall result in the immediate issuance of a stop work order and the revocation of the permit, if any.
(Ord. No. 095-18(R), 3-7-95; Ord. No. 095-18(R-1), 6-6-95; Ord. No. O04-32, 6-15-04; Ord. No. O0765, 9-407)
Cross references: Penalty for Class 1 misdemeanor, § 1-11.
State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 10.1-560 et seq.
Sec. 11-8. Same--Injunctive relief.
The county may apply to the circuit court of the county for injunctive relief to enjoin a violation or a
threatened violation of this chapter, without the necessity of showing that there does not exist an adequate
remedy at law.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-11, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 091-48(R), 9-17-91)
State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 10.1-560 et seq.
Sec. 11-9. Reserved.
Editor's note: Ord. No. O04-32, adopted June 15, 2004, repealed section 11-9, which pertained to
enforcement of chapter by legal action and derived from Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-11, adopted May 18, 1982.
Sec. 11-10. Appeals from decisions under chapter to circuit court.
Final decisions of the county under this chapter shall be subject to review by the circuit court of the
county, provided an appeal is filed within thirty (30) days from the date of any written decision adversely
affecting the rights, duties or privileges of a person engaging in or proposing to engage in land-disturbing
activities.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-12, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 095-18(R), 3-7-95; Ord. No. 095-18(R-1), 6-6-95)
State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 10.1-560 et seq.
Sec. 11-11. Reserved.
Editor's note: Ordinance No. 095-18(R), adopted Mar. 7, 1995, repealed § 11-11 in its entirety. Formerly,
said section pertained to appeals from decisions under chapter to circuit court and derived from § 31-12 of
Ord. No. 082-09, adopted May 18, 1982, and Ord. No. 091-48(R), adopted Sep. 17, 1991. See § 11-10 for
current provisions regarding said subject matter.
Sec. 11-12. General standards.
(a) The standards adopted by the county are those criteria, standards and specifications contained in
the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook and the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control
Regulations.
(b) The following criteria shall apply to all applications for permits under this chapter. These criteria are
in addition to those standards set forth in the handbook referred to in subsection (a) above:
(1) Concentrated stormwater runoff leaving a development site shall be discharged directly into a welldefined, natural or manmade off-site receiving channel, pipe or storm sewer system. If there is not well-defined
off-site receiving channel or pipe one must be constructed to convey stormwater to the nearest adequate
channel. Newly constructed channels shall be designed as adequate channels.
(2) An adequate channel shall be defined as a natural or manmade channel or pipe which is capable of
conveying the runoff from a ten-year storm without overtopping its banks and from a two-year storm without
eroding after development of the site in question. A receiving channel may also be considered adequate at any
point where the total contributing drainage area is at least one hundred (100) times greater than the drainage
area of the development site in question or if it can be shown that the peak rate of runoff from the site for a twoyear storm and for a ten-year storm will not be increased after development.
(3) Runoff rate and channel adequacy must be verified with engineering calculations in accordance with
the procedures outlined in of the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook or other methods
acceptable to the plan-approving authority.
a. Determine the impact, elevation, of the one-hundred-year storm on all existing or proposed
stormwater conveyance systems (culverts, storm sewer, ditches, and streams) within or adjacent to the
proposed development.
b. Proposed lowest floor elevations shall be no less than one foot above the
one-hundred-year flood elevation. Wall penetrations shall be no less than one foot above the onehundred-year flood elevation.
c. Prior to beginning framing of a structure, the applicant shall provide verifications sealed by a licensed
professional engineer or land surveyor that the lowest floor is no less than one foot above the onehundred-year flood elevation prescribed in subsection (b)(3)a.
(4) If an existing off-site receiving channel is not an adequate channel, the applicant must choose one
(1) of the following options.
a. Obtain permission from downstream property owners to improve the receiving channel to an
adequate condition. Such improvements shall extend downstream until an adequate channel section is
reached; or
b. Develop a site design that will satisfy the stormwater technical criteria for stream channel erosion and
flooding as defined in chapter 21.5 (stormwater management ordinance) of this Code; or
c. Provide a combination of channel improvement, stormwater detention or other measures which is
satisfactory to the plan-approving authority to prevent downstream channel erosion.
(5) All on-site stormwater conveyance channels shall be designed and constructed to withstand the
expected velocity of flow from a two-year frequency storm without erosion. Stabilization adequate to prevent
erosion must also be provided at the outlets of all pipes and paved channels.
(6) Except for the months of December through February, all temporary seeding shall conform to the
standard and specification for permanent seeding in the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook. If
field conditions warrant, the inspector may order that the seeding schedule be adjusted to meet the intent of the
Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook.
(7) Sod shall be installed to provide vegetation stabilization of residential building lots in which lot size is
less than thirty thousand (30,000) square feet. Such sod shall be installed in accordance with the Standard and
Specification for Sodding in the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook.
(8) In addition to the standards and specifications in the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control
Handbook, the following standards shall be indicated on the plan, installed and maintained until permanent
stabilization is achieved.
a. Super silt fence (standard silt fence supported by chain link fencing) shall be installed adjacent to
critical areas (wet lands, streams, stabilized residential lots).
b. Earth berms shall be used in lieu of a silt fence as a perimeter measure on all non-residential sites
and on the perimeter of all subdivision development. This shall not apply to individual single-family home
permits.
c. Sediment trapping measures shall provide two hundred sixty-eight (268) cubic yards of storage per
acre of total contributing drainage area.
d. Soil stabilization blankets or matting, in accordance with the standards and specifications of the
Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, shall be installed to provide temporary or permanent
stabilization on all slopes equal to or steeper than 3:1.
e. The plan-approving authority or program administrator may require the use of turbidity curtains on a
site-specific basis for development projects that drain to a lake or reservoir during plan review or inspection. If a
turbidity curtain is required,
it shall be installed in accordance with the standards and specifications of the Virginia
Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook.
(9) The program administrator may require the use of flocculents to clarify runoff on a site-specific basis
to supplement the erosion and sediment controls on the approved erosion and sediment control plan. If
required, the engineer or surveyor who prepared the erosion and sediment control plan shall provide specific
guidance to facilitate the application of flocculents on the site.
(10) Construction phasing is encouraged for all land development projects and shall be required for
those projects that will disturb more than forty (40) acres of land, except for commercial, industrial, institutional,
school board, and county development projects. Additionally, the construction of roads and utilities for
residential projects in accordance with approved plans shall also be exempt from the construction phasing
requirement. The size of the separate construction phases on a project and the elements of the phasing plan
shall be established during plan review and are subject to approval by the plan approving authority. The
phasing plan shall address, but not be limited to, the following factors:
a. The size of the land disturbance.
b. The presence of steep slopes greater than twenty-five (25) percent.
c. The presence of highly erodible soils.
d. The proximity of the site to perennial or intermittent streams located either on the development site or
located on an abutting or adjacent property.
e. The ability of traditional/conventional erosion and sediment controls to provide adequate control of
sediment and erosion for the land-disturbing activity.
f. The proposed use or type of development occurring on the property and the anticipated duration of
the land disturbing activity.
g. The ability to balance cuts and fills on the site within each phase of the development.
Where construction phasing is required, no additional portions of the development site shall be
disturbed until it has been determined by inspection and approval, that the initial or previous
phasing area has been stabilized. The permit holder shall be required to mark the limits of
clearing allowable for any construction phasing area as established by the approved plan either
with temporary fencing, reflective tape, signs or such other acceptable methods clearly
delineating for workers on the site the limits of clearing allowed in any single approved
construction phase. No applicant shall be permitted to circumvent the requirement for phasing
by applying for separate permits for adjoining portions of lands smaller in size than the threshold
size requirement for construction phasing provided above when it is clear from other documents
and/or plats or plans that the intended development of the land, as a whole, is for a single
connected project. The requirements for construction phasing in this section shall apply to
erosion and sediment control plans submitted on or after July 2, 2008.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-5, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 089-117, 12-5-89; Ord. No. 091-48(R), 9-17-91; Ord. No. 09518(R), 3-7-95; Ord. No. 095-18(R-1), 6-6-95; Ord. No. 000-88, 10-17-00; Ord. No. 003-13, 3-18-03; Ord. No.
O04-32, 6-15-04; Ord. No. O07-67, 9-4-07; Ord. No. O08-52, 7-1-08)
Sec. 11-13. Building construction projects.
(a) In building construction projects, erosion and sediment control devices shall be installed before
footings may be approved. Such devices shall be maintained in working order throughout
construction.
(b) No building permit for construction shall be issued until all roads and subdivision streets accessing
the proposed building site have been graded and covered with base stone.
(c) No building permit for construction shall be issued until the effect of a one-hundred-year storm on
the proposed building has been calculated by a licensed professional engineer or land surveyor.
(d) No building permit for construction shall be issued for a proposed building with a proposed lowest
floor less than 1 foot above the one-hundred-year flood elevation as determined in subsection (c).
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-8C, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 093-27, 6-15-93; Ord. No. 000-88, 10-17-00; Ord. No. O0432, 6-15-04)
Sec. 11-14. Grading permit for land-disturbing activities--Required; application.
(a) No person shall engage in any land-disturbing activity without first having obtained a grading permit.
(b) Application for a grading permit shall be made on forms supplied by the permit-issuing agency and
shall be accompanied by two (2) sets of the plan approved by the plan-approving authority, together with
written, notarized certification that the applicant will be responsible for faithful performance of all components of
such plan and intends to comply fully with the provisions of this chapter. Such permit shall grant the right-ofentry onto the property for inspection and monitoring of compliance with the provisions of the Stafford County
Code. The granting of the permit vests with the county all authority to take corrective action as necessary to
ensure compliance with the provisions of the Stafford County Code.
(Ord. No. 082-09, §§ 31-7, 31-7-8A, C, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 091-48(R), 9-17-91)
State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 10.1-560 et seq.
Sec. 11-15. Same--Applicant's performance guarantee.
(a) No grading, building or other permit for activities involving land-disturbing activities shall be issued
unless the applicant submits with his application an approved erosion and sediment control plan and
certification that the plan will be followed.
(b) No grading permit shall be issued unless the permittee furnishes a performance guarantee, in
accordance with the current county security policy, equal to one hundred twenty-five (125) percent of the
estimated costs of installation, maintenance and completion of the control measures required by this approved
plan, to ensure that action can be taken by the county, at the applicant's expense, should he fail, after proper
notice and within the time specified, to initiate or maintain such measures. If the county takes such
conservation action upon such failure by the permittee, the county shall collect from the permittee for the
difference should the amount of reasonable cost of such action exceed the amount of the security held.
Security for erosion and sediment control measures on individual residential building lots shall be
furnished prior to issuance of a building permit. The security shall be provided in conformance with the Stafford
County Security Policy.
(c) A certified estimate of costs by the design engineer or land surveyor, subject to approval by the
plan-approving authority, shall be used to verify costs for the purpose of determining the amount of the
performance guarantee required by this section.
(d) The performance guarantee furnished pursuant to this section, or the unexpended or
unobligated portion thereof, shall be returned to the applicant within sixty (60) days of the achievement
of adequate stabilization of the land-disturbing activity. Adequate stabilization of the land-disturbing
activity means the achievement of the final stabilization of the land and final installation of stormwater
management features, as contemplated by the approved plan. This means after ground cover has been
established, not just after seeding, which may or may not be successful.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-7, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 089-80, 8-1-89; Ord. No. 089-95, 9-5-89; Ord. No. 089-117, 12-589; Ord. No. 092-59, 9-8-92; Ord. No. 093-27, 6-15-93; Ord. No. 095-18(R-1), 6-6-95; Ord. No. 097-53, 9-9-97;
Ord. No. 097-80, 12-16-97; Ord. No. 000-88, 10-17-00)
State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 10.1-560 et seq.
Sec. 11-15.1. Erosion impact area.
The county board of supervisors may require approval of an erosion and sediment control plan or
conservation plan for any land identified by the county administrator, or his designee, as being an erosion
impact area. Such erosion and sediment control plan or conservation plan shall meet those criteria, standards
and specifications contained in the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook and the Virginia Erosion
and Sediment Control Regulations.
(Ord. No. 091-48(R), 9-17-91; Ord. No. 095-18(R-1), 6-6-95)
Sec. 11-16. Same--Fees.
(a) The fee for a grading permit shall be in accordance with the fee schedule established by the board
of supervisors. An annual renewal fee in accordance with such fee schedule will be charged for those projects
extending for more than one year.
(b) The fees imposed by this section is for the purpose of defraying the costs of reviewing plans and
specifications and costs of inspections and administering the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-10, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 087-07, 1-6-87; Ord. No. 089-75, 7-5-89; Ord. No. 091-48 (R), 917-91; Ord. No. 095-18(R-1), 6-6-95; Ord. No. 099-39, 7-13-99)
State law references: Authority for above fee, Code of Virginia, § 10.1-562.
Sec. 11-17. Inspections and certifications of land-disturbing activities.
(a) Regular and thorough on-site inspections of land-disturbing activities shall be conducted by the
permit-issuing agency. Essential elements of such inspections shall include:
(1) Inspection during or immediately following initial installation of sediment controls; in particular,
basins, traps, diversions and dikes. Upon installation of sediment controls, the permittee shall schedule an
installation inspection with the permit-issuing agency. The permittee must obtain approval of the sediment
controls from the permit-issuing agency before proceeding with further grading or site development.
(2) Inspection at least once in every two-week period.
(3) Inspection within forty-eight (48) hours following any runoff-producing storm event.
(4) Inspection prior to and immediately after seeding, particularly in the fall. If the development project is
active, or is planned to remain active through the winter months, the permittee shall schedule a pre-winter
stabilization meeting with the permit-issuing
agency. The meeting will be held before October 1st. Disturbed areas that will be idle over the winter
shall be stabilized prior to November 1.
(5) Final inspection of terminating projects to ensure that temporary controls have been removed,
stabilization growth is complete, drainageways are in proper condition and final contours agree with the
approved plan. This inspection shall be made prior to the release of any performance guarantee furnished
pursuant to section 11-15.
(b) All inspections pursuant to this section shall be documented by a written report or log containing
dates and times of inspections and comments concerning verbal communications relating to the project.
(c) The county administrator, or his designee, may require the permittee to provide a certification by a
licensed professional engineer or land surveyor within seventy-two (72) hours of requests for a project
sediment basin or sediment trap at any time prior to final inspection. Such certification shall state that the basin
or trap has sufficient storage capacity and is functioning properly.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-9, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 097-24, 3-18-97; Ord. No. 097-24(R), 8-19-97; Ord. No. 09760, 11-18-97; Ord. No. O05-63, 12-13-05; Ord. No. O07-65, 9-4-07)
State law references: Inspecting and monitoring land-disturbing activities, Code of Virginia, § 10.1560 et
seq.
Sec. 11-18. Grading plans with building permit applications.
(a) A building permit application for a residential lot shall contain a grading plan depicting lot grading,
drainage facilities, one-hundred-year flood elevation, lowest floor elevation, and erosion and sediment control
measures.
(b) Such grading plan for a residential lot shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer or land
surveyor.
(c) The building permit application shall provide the name of the responsible land disturber who will be
in charge of and responsible for carrying out the land-disturbing activity in accordance with the approved
grading plan or an agreement in lieu of a plan.
(Ord. No. 097-53, 9-9-97; Ord. No. 097-80, 12-16-97; Ord. No. 000-88, 10-17-00; Ord. No. 003-13, 318-03;
Ord. No. O04-32, 6-15-04)
Editor's note: Ord. No. 093-55, adopted Dec. 14, 1993, and effective July 1, 1994, repealed § 11-18 in its
entirety. Formerly, § 11-18 pertained to Chesapeake Bay preservation area overlay district stormwater
management (phosphorous) control and derived from Ord. No. 091-64, adopted Oct. 15, 1991, and Ord. No.
O91-64(R), adopted Jan. 5, 1993. Ord. No. 097-53, adopted Sept. 9, 1997, enacted new provisions as § 11-18
to read as herein set out. See Ch. 21.5 of this Code for current stormwater management provisions.
Sec. 11-19. Reserved.
Editor's note: Ord. No. 003-13, adopted March 18, 2003, repealed § 11-19, which pertained to stormwater
management facilities in critical resource protection areas (CRPA) and derived from Ord. No. 091-64,
adopted Jan. 5, 1993.
Secs. 11-20--11-30. Reserved.
ARTICLE II. CONTROL PLAN FOR LAND-DISTURBING ACTIVITIES
Sec. 11-31. Submission and approval required; exceptions.
(a) No person shall engage in any land-disturbing activity until he has submitted to the plan-approving
authority an erosion and sediment control and stormwater management plan for such land-disturbing activity
and until such plan has been reviewed and approved by the plan-approving authority. It shall be the
responsibility of the owner or lessee of the land or his duly authorized agent to prepare and submit such plan to
the plan-approving authority.
(b) There shall be no issuance of approval or permits for any land-disturbing activity, such as
subdivision plat approval or issuance of building permits, until the required erosion and sediment control plan
has been approved pursuant to this article.
(c) This section shall not apply to any person whose land-disturbing activities involve lands which
extend into the jurisdiction of another local erosion and sediment control program, provided such person has a
plan approved by the state soil and water conservation board. Such person shall comply with the requirements
of section 11-15.
(d) This section shall not apply to any state agency that undertakes a project involving a land-disturbing
activity pursuant to § 10.1-563 of the Code of Virginia.
(Ord. No. 082-09, §§ 31-4, 31-6A, 31-8B, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 095-18(R), 3-7-95; Ord. No. 095-18(R-1), 6-695)
State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 10.1-563.
Sec. 11-32. Requirements for preparation and review.
(a) A person preparing a plan required by this article shall follow the guidelines outlined in the Virginia
Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook. Officials of the county and the Tri-County/City Soil and Water
Conservation District, in their consideration of the adequacy of such a plan, shall be guided by the same
requirements and standards.
(b) The erosion and sediment control plan shall be prepared as a two-phased plan. The Phase One
plan shall address the controls needed prior to clearing and rough grading of the area to be disturbed. The
Phase Two plan shall address the controls needed after the utilities and curb and gutter, as appropriate, are
installed and roads are rough graded. The requirement for a two-phased plan may be waived by the planapproving authority if a single plan can clearly explain and illustrate the measures that will be taken to control
erosion and sedimentation and it can be shown that a single plan will adequately control conditions from the
beginning of the project until it is completed.
(c) The erosion and sediment control plan shall contain a construction phasing plan in accordance with
section 11-12 of this chapter.
(d) In addition to subsections (a), (b) and (c) above, the plan-approving authority may require additional
information or plans where deemed necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 082-09, §§ 31-5, 31-6F, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 091-48(R), 9-17-91; Ord. No. 095-18(R), 3-7-95; Ord.
No. 095-18(R-1), 6-6-95; Ord. No. 097-60, 11-18-97; Ord. No. O08-52, 7-1-08)
Sec. 11-33. Forms to be used.
Applications for plan approval under this article and three (3) copies of all plans and specifications shall
be submitted on forms provided for by the plan-approving authority.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-6B, 5-18-82)
Sec. 11-34. Technical review.
All plans submitted for approval pursuant to this article may be referred to the Tri-County/City Soil and
Water Conservation District for technical review. The district must comment on all submitted plans within thirty
(30) days. When a plan is found upon review by district officials to be inadequate, such agency shall specify
such modifications, terms and conditions as will permit approval of the plan review and communicate these
findings to the plan-approving authority.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-6C, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 095-18(R-1), 6-6-95)
Sec. 11-35. Approval or disapproval.
(a) In the event the plan shows any land-disturbing activity in the area of a proposed public road for
which the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has not approved the site or construction plan, the
applicant shall provide the plan-approving authority, prior to approval of the erosion and sediment control plan,
a letter stating the understanding that such land-disturbing activity will proceed before VDOT approval of the
road design and associated drainage and that VDOT may require subsequent changes or modifications to the
grading or its appurtenant structures.
(b) If the plan-approving authority fails to approve or disapprove a plan or to require additions or
revisions thereto within forty-five (45) days after the same has been submitted to the plan-approving authority
by the applicant, the plan shall be deemed to be approved and the applicant may lawfully proceed to obtain a
grading permit with the plans and specifications submitted. At the time of resubmission, another forty-five-day
period shall begin. However, when a plan is determined to be inadequate, written notice of disapproval stating
the specific reasons for disapproval shall be communicated to the applicant within forty-five (45) days. The
notice shall specify the modifications, terms and conditions that will permit approval of the plan.
(c) The person responsible for carrying out the plan shall provide the name of a responsible land
disturber who will be in charge of and responsible for carrying out the land-disturbing activity in accordance with
the approved plan. In addition, as a prerequisite to engaging in the land-disturbing activities shown on the
approved plan, the person responsible for carrying out the plan shall provide the name of an individual holding
a certificate of competence, as provided by § 10.1-561, Code of Virginia (1950) as amended, who will be in
charge of and responsible for carrying out the land-disturbing activity.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-6D, E, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 095-81(R-1), 6-6-95; Ord. No. 097-60, 11-18-97; Ord. No.
003-13, 3-18-03; Ord. No. O05-63, 12-13-05)
State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 10.1-563.
Sec. 11-36. Modification of approved plan and granting of a variance.
(a) An approved plan may be changed or amended by the plan-approving authority in the following
cases:
(1) Where inspection has revealed the inadequacy of the plan to satisfy applicable regulations; or
(2) Where the person responsible for carrying out the approved plan finds that because of changed
circumstances or for other reasons the approved plan cannot be effectively carried out, and proposed
amendments to the plan, consistent with the requirements of this chapter, are agreed to by the plan-approving
authority and the person responsible for carrying out the plan;
(3) Minor changes on a plan may be approved by the appropriate county inspector provided the intent of
the plan and this chapter is met.
(b) The plan-approving authority may waive or modify any of the regulations that are deemed
inappropriate or too restrictive for site conditions, by granting a variance. A variance may be granted under
these conditions:
(1) At the time of plan submission, an applicant may request a variance to become part of the approved
erosion and sediment control plan. The applicant shall explain the reasons for requesting variances in writing.
Specific variances which are allowed by the plan-approving authority shall be documented in the plan.
(2) During construction, the person responsible for implementing the approved plan may request a
variance in writing from the plan approving authority. The plan-approving authority shall respond in writing
either approving or disapproving such a request. If the plan-approving authority does not approve a variance
within ten (10) days of receipt of the request, the request shall be considered to be disapproved. Following
disapproval, the applicant may resubmit a variance request with additional documentation.
(3) The plan-approving authority shall consider variance requests judiciously, keeping in mind both the
need of the applicant to maximize cost effectiveness and the need to protect off-site properties and resources
from damage.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-6G, H, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 089-117, 12-5-89; Ord. No. O05-63, 12-13-05)
State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 10.1-563.
Sec. 11-37. Authority of inspector to require practice not provided for in approved plan.
The "Minimum Standards" established in the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook and
section 11-12(b) herein shall apply to all approved plans for land-disturbing activities. An inspector, acting
pursuant to section 11-17 of this chapter, may require additional conservation practices not specified on the
approved plan. If the change is permanent in nature, the permittee shall be required to meet the requirements
of section 11-36 of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 082-09, § 31-6H, 5-18-82; Ord. No. 089-117, 12-5-89; Ord. No. 095-18(R), 3-7-95; Ord. No. 09518(R-1), 6-6-95)